The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) announced it will introduce smart technology solutions to bolster efficiency in the textile industry as it works to embrace the forthcoming Fourth Industrial Revolution.

While speaking at the Factory Software Conference at GMAC headquarters on Tuesday, GMAC executive director Ly Tek Heng touted the introduction of Singapore-based Zilingo software system as a cost- and time-saving tool that will also improve the quality of products.

The software is designed to supply factories with end-to-end solutions, from the ordering of fabrics to the production line.

“I hope Zilingo will contribute to the rapid development of the garment industry in Cambodia as technology is more widely adopted in the sector,” Tek Heng said.

He said that the arrival of Zilingo’s software system was an “absolute necessity” as factories needed to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution by introducing software to monitor production lines to ensure future growth.

Zilingo business development manager Yin Sosakol said the firm’s software will increase production efficiency line by 10-12 per cent and reduce production errors by 20-50 per cent.

“This is the first time the company has introduced this system to the Cambodian textile industry, although it is already used in other countries,” he said, noting that factories in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam have already adopted the software.

GMAC deputy secretary-general Kaing Monika said: “With the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we are observing the gradual pace of automation and digitisation across our factories.

“Automated machines are increasingly being used in most factory processes, including designing, pattern making, cutting, printing, embroidery, sewing and quality control.

“Cambodia must respond to the challenge of automation and digitisation at a faster pace to transform the workplace and workforce.”

There are more than 600 garment and footwear factories in Cambodia, according to GMAC.

The Kingdom exported more than $7.97 billion worth of garment, textile and footwear (GTF) products in the first nine months of last year – up 13.18 per cent compared to the same period in 2018, said the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s General Department of Customs and Excise.

The US accounted for $2.5 billion of exports and the EU for $2.4 billion. The UK bought $670 million worth of goods, Japan $711 million, and Asean member states $121 million.